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by wickedwillie on February 26th, 2005

wickedwillie

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Why are the left and right lungs two different sizes?

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by Jtigger on October 18th, 2007

    Jtigger

    The right lung is larger and has more lobes than the left lung (3 vs 2) because the heart is normally located on the left side, and takes up space where the lung would have been.
    The right lung, which is heavier than the left, is also shorter (the right dome of the diaphragm being higher) and wider (the heart bulging more to the left).
    Each lung has an apex, three surfaces (costal, medial, and diaphragmatic), and three borders (anterior, inferior, and posterior). The right lung is divided into upper, middle, and lower lobes by oblique and horizontal fissures, whereas the left lung has usually only upper and lower lobes, separated by an oblique fissure.

    http://www.instantanatomy.net/.../fissures.html

    http://www.health24.com/.../...05-1642,21491.asp

    http://www.getbodysmart.com/.../menu.html

    http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu/lunglobes.htm

    http://www.enchantedlearning.com/.../

    http://www.answers.com/topic/human-lung

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  • by StJames on March 31st, 2005

    StJames

    The right lung contains three lobes, while the left lung contains only two. No one knows why this is though. It is a mystery. My physiology teacher would say, "Because God made it that way."

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  • by Ethan Allison on February 26th, 2005

    Ethan Allison

    Because of the other stuff in there that needs room, I think.

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  • by calryx on September 14th, 2006

    calryx

    The right lung is about 1 inch shorter than the left lung due to the space that the liver takes up. The right lung is also broader than the left lung due to the placement of the heart. This implies more common anatomy, if the person is situs inversus then the answer would be just the opposite.

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